Protests across Ireland were held on Wednesday against what activists say is recurring victim-blaming in rape cases, after a woman’s lace thong was controversially cited as evidence against a 17-year-old alleged victim.

The Cork trial first grabbed the headlines on November 6 when a 27-year-old was acquitted of raping a 17-year-old. The defense counsel, Elizabeth O’Connell, stirred widespread outcry when she said about the teenage girl: “You have to look at the way she was dressed. She was wearing a thong with a lace front."It prompted a mass movement on Twitter where people posted pictures of their underpants with the hashtag #ThisIsNotConsent.

Counsel for man acquitted of rape suggested jurors should reflect on underwear worn by the 17yo complainant. Following this wholly unacceptable comment, we are calling on our followers to post a picture of their thongs/knickers to support her with the hashtag #ThisIsNotConsentpic.twitter.com/ZkVU0GVAIN

Irish MP Ruth Coppinger also hit out at the evidence produced by the barrister by holding up a lacy thong in parliament in a bid to emphasize what she branded the “routine victim-blaming” in rape prosecutions.

Pulling a blue thong from her sleeve while in parliament on Tuesday, she said: “It might seem embarrassing to show a pair of thongs here... how do you think a rape victim or a woman feels at the incongruous setting of her underwear being shown in a court?"

Protests organized by socialist feminist group Rosa took place on Wednesday in Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Waterford, the BBC reports.